Body encircling garment



A 21 195 H. M. HERBENER BODY ENCIRCLING GARMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 8, 1954 INVENTOR. HQIZJl] M United States Patent BODY ENCIRCLING GARMENT Henry M. Herbeuer, Thomnsville, Ga. Application June a, 1954, Serial No. 435,155

Claims. (CI. 2-42 My invention relates to a body encircling garment of the brassiere, corselet, corset, or slip type.

An important object of the invention is to provide a garment of the above-mentioned character so constructed that the circumferential tension of the garment is not transmitted to any considerable extent to the bust receiving pockets or cups.

A further object of the invention is to provide resilient frames which are secured to the body portion of the garment and connected with the bust receiving pockets or cups for holding them elevated while inward pressure between the resilient frames and busts is eliminated, avoiding harsh pressure against the busts, which would result in discomfort and sometimes injury.

A further object of the invention is to provide'means whereby the body tension of the garment will hold the resilient frames next to the body and when the upper portions of these frames are bent forwardly, they will be quickly returned to the raised position when the pressure is released.

A further object of the invention is to provide a garment of the above-mentioned character wherein the back portion of the band will be in a low position, and will not be visible when the garment is worn with dresses cut low at the back. 1

A further object of the invention is to provide means of the above-mentioned character which may be embodied in a strapless brassiere, although it may also be embodied in a corselct, corset, slip or other garment.

A further object of the invention is to provide resilient means for supporting the bust receiving pockets or cups and which will not interfere with the circumferential elasticity of the garment.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout same,

Figure l is a front elevation of a brassiere embodying my invention,

Figure 2 is a front elevation, parts broken away, of the body encircling portion, and the bust receiving pocket or cup separated from the body encircling portion,

Figure 3 is a side elevation of the brassiere, applied to the user,

Figure 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4-4 of Figure 1,

Figure 5 isa horizontal section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 1,

Figure 6 is a side elevation of' the resilient frame removed,

Figure 7 is an enlarged elevation-of one end of the resilient frame carrying a cap, in section, I

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevation of the upper end of the frame receiving pocket, showing the pocket extension,

Patented Aug. 21, 1956 lice Figure 9 is a horizontal section taken on line 9--9 of Figure 8,

Figure 10 is a front side elevation of a brassiere embodying the second form of the invention,

Figure 11 is a front elevation of the body portion and cup sides, separated for the purpose of illustration, parts broken away,

Figure 12 is a vertical transverse section taken on line 12-12 of Figure 10,

, within the pocket 28a.

Figure 13 is a similar view taken on line 13-43 of Figure 10, i

Figure 14 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on line 1414 of Figure 12, and,

Figure 15 is a horizontal section taken on line 15-15 of Figure 14,

The garment, as shown in Figures 1 to 9, inclusive, includes a body encircling portion 20, which is horizontally elastic. The body encircling portion is folded upon itself at its lower edge to provide layers 21. The body encircling portion includes a forward portion 22, and a lower band portion 23, which extends entirely around the body and garment. The forward portion 22 extends above the 'band portion 23.

The forward portion v22 has substantially semi-circular openings 24 cut therein, for the passage of the busts and 25 designates bust receiving pockets or cups, which are spherically curved and bulge forwardly, and which may be formed of gores or segments, secured together, as is well known. These bust receiving pockets or cups have their edges 26, Figure 4, overlapping the forward portion 22, adjacent to the openings 24, and are secured to the portion 22 by lines of zig-zag stitching 27.

The sides 21 of the forward portion 22 are stitched together by vertical lines of stitching 28, which preferably extend from the top of the forward portion 22 to the top of the band portion 23. The sides 21 and lines of stitching 28 form beneath each line of stitching 27 a pocket 28a, which receives an upstanding U-shaped resilient supporting frame 29, formed of'wire, and bent into zig-zag formation, including alternate oppositely facing U-shaped loops. The upper ends of the U-shaped frame may have its free end covered by metal caps 30, Fig. 7. The lines of stitching 28 and the upper portions of the line of stitching 27 form upstanding pocket extensions 29aof the pocket 280. These pocket sections receive the upper ends of the U-shaped frame 29, and the tops of these pocket sections are closed by a zig-zag line of stitching 31, connecting the sides 21, at their top edges. The line of stitching 31 may be formed over the tops of the pocket extensions 29a before it is continued throughout the length of the sides 21, and each resilient frame 29, which was originally straight, may be fed into the pocket 28a through the edge opening at the bottom of the vertical line of stitching 28, and formed into the U-shaped frame The upper ends of this frame will pass into the pocket extensions 29:: between the lines of stitchingv 27 and 28. The bottom of each resilient U-shaped frame bears against the closed bottom of the pocket 28a,'and the upper ends of this frame bear against the top ofthe forward portion 22, serving to support it and the pocket or cup 25, with which such upper ends are connected through the medium of the forward portion 22. Y 5

Each frame 29 is highly resilient when vertically compressed, which is rendered possible by the lower portions of its sides being shiftable laterally horizontally in an outward direction between the sides 21. The lower portion of the frame is also held close to the body by the circumferential tensionaround the band'portion 23, and when the upper portion of the resilient frame 29 is swung forwardly, it will quickly return to the rear or upright position when the pressure is released. The pockets 28a I move horizontally outwardly within the main pocket 48a.

are spaced, and the garment is horizontally elastic be- All portions of the loop 45 arranged beneath the pocket or cup and which would serve to support the same are suitably spaced from the pocket or cup so that the frame the pocket or cup, in its supporting action of the pocket 7 or cup, thereby promoting the'comfort of the wearer, and avoiding injury.

The band portion 23 is provided with pockets for receiving resilient hoops 33, ofzig-zagformation, and these hoops are positioned near the sides of'the user, and prevent the band portion 23 from rollings or folding. The ends of the band portion 23 are connected at the back of the user by any suitable means.

in Figures 10 to inclusive,] have shown a body encircling portion 34, formed of horizontally elastic material. This body encircling portion is formed of a section of horizontally elastic fabric, woven or knit. This section of fabric is folded upon the lower edge to form sides 36 and 37. The body encircling portion 34 includes a bond portion 38 and a'forward portion 39. which extends above the band portion. The forward portion 39 has substantially semi-circular bust receiving openings 40 formed therein, and these openings extend from the top of the portion 39 to the band portion 38.

I provide bust receiving pockets or cups 40a, which are circular andspherically curved, and bulge forwardly and also extendabove the forward portion 39. Each pocket or cup comprises a lower semi-circular portion 41, formed of a single layer of fabric which is suitably thick or strong, and-this portion 4! may includegores or segments, secured together in the usual manner. Each pocket or cup further comprises an upper semi-circular portion 42, secured to the lower portion. Thisupper portion is formed of thin or lighter fabric, and includes gores or segments. The numeral 43 designates an upper semi-c rcular portion, formed of thin or light fabric and ll'lCllJClll'lg gores or segments. The upper portion 43 is arranged behind the portion 42. The portions 41, 42 and 43 form a circular pocket, which bulges forwardly.

The pocket portion 41 is arranged upon the outer -face of the forward portion 39 and is stitched thereto at its outer edge by a line of stitching 44 and this line of stitching 44 s continued around the outer edges of the pocket portions 42 and 43, to secure them together. The line of stitching 44 only passes. through the .front side 36 and not through the rear side 37.

A resilient frame including a closed loop 45 is provided, formed of.wire bent into zig-zag formation. This loop has its upper end inserted into the pocket formed by the pocket sections 42 and 43. The bottom of the loop will engage the edge 35 when the side 37 is folded over the side 36. With the resilient loop 45 in place, the circular line of stitching 46 is sewed which passes through the pocket portion 41, side 36 and side 37 and also passes through pocket portions 42 and 43. This line of stitching is arranged upon the inner side of the loop 45. Vertical lines of stitching 47 are alsosewed through sides 36 and 37, outwardly of the resilient loop 45, and form pocket extensions 470, with the line of stitching 46,

which pocket extensions 47alead into the upper endv of the main pocket 480, which receives the lower portion of the resilient loop 45.-

Each resilient loop 45 bears at its bottom against the edge 35 of the pocket 48a, at its top against the edge of the pocket formed by the pocket portions 42 and 43. The loop is therefore connected with the top of .the pocket or cup, for supporting the same. The loop .45 is highly resilient when vertically compressed, due to the fact that the lower portions of its sides are free to will not bear against the pocketor cup and thereby pro mote the comfort of the wearer, and avoid injury.

Attention is called to the fact that the front portion 39 extends above the band portion 38 and. the pockets or cups are arranged above the band portion. The circumfcrential tension of the band portion 38 is therefore not transmitted to the front portion 39 or pockets or cups to any considerable extent.

This circumferential tension extends entirely around the band portion 38 and holds the lower portions of the resilient loops 45 close to the body. When the upper portion of each loop is bent forwardly, it will quickly return to the upright position close to the body, when the pressure is removed. The loop 45 bears against the bottom of the main pocket 48a and being connected with the top of the pocket 40a servesto exert a continuous upward force which supports the pocket 40a. The loop 45 has no portions arranged beneath and contacting with the pocket 40a, but such portions are spaced from the pocket 40a.

The band portion 38 has resilient hoops 48, corresponding to the hoops 33, Figure l. It is to be understood that both forms of the invention may be embodied in a corselet, corset or slip, as well as in a brassiere. Various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts maybe resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, 1 claim: 1. A garment comprising a body encircling portion including a band portion and a forward portion extend ing above the band portion, the forwardportion inc-luding frame receiving pockets having bottom walls, .each frame receiving pocket including upper portions having outer side walls, said side walls being vertically spaced fromthe frame receiving pocket bottom wall and the frame receiving pocket extending horizontallyoutwardly beyond said side walls, bust receiving pockets secured to the top portion of said forward portion, each bust receiving pocket being disposed between said side walls and including a curved bottom portion which diverges downwardly from said side walls and which are also spaced from the frame receiving pocket bottom wall, and a resilient frame mounted within each frame receiving pocket and including upstanding sides and a bottom, the frame sides being disposed inwardly of said side walls and connected with the top of said front portion to support the same, the frame bottom bearing against the frame receiving pocket bottom wall, the lower portions of the resilient frame sides extending below said side walls andslidably mounted within the frame receiving pocket beneath said side walls so that the lower portions of the resilient frame sides may shift outwardly in a horizontal direction beneath said side walls when the resilient frame is vertically depressed, the bust rev 1 ceiving pocket being free from supporting means at its bottom and supported entirely by the upper portion of said resilient frame at an elevation atvleast substantially as high as the top of said front portion.

2. A garment comprising a body encircling portion including a band portion and a forward portion extending above the band portion, the forward portion including frame receiving pocketshaving bottom walls, bustreceiving pockets secured to the top portion of said forward portion, a resilient frame mounted within each frame receiving pocket and including upstanding sides and a bottom, the frame sides being disposed adjacent to the sides of each bust receiving pocket, means connecting the upper ends of the resilient frame sides with the top of said front portion to support the same, the frame bottom hearing against the framereceiving pocket bottom wall, the frame receiving pocket extending outwardly in a horizontal direction beyond the upper connected ends of said frame sides, the lower portions of the resilient frame sides being slidably mounted withi l the frame receiving pocket so that such lower portions may shift outwardly in a horizontal direction beyond the connected upper ends of said frame sides when the resilient frame is vertically depressed, the bust receiving pocket being free from supporting means at its bottom and supported entirely by the upper portion of said resilient frame at an elevation at least substantially as high as the top of said front portion.

3. A garment comprising a body encircling portion including a band portion and a forward portion extending above the band portion, the forward portion including frame receiving pockets having bottom walls, bust receiving pockets secured to the top portion of said forward portion, a resilient frame mounted within each frame receiving pocket and including upstanding sides and a bottom, the frame sides being disposed adjacent to the sides of each bust receiving pocket, means connecting the upper ends of the resilient frame sides with the top of said front portion to support the same, the frame bottom bearing against the frame receiving pocket bottom wall, the lower portions of the resilient frame sides being slidably mounted within the frame receiving pocket so that such lower portions may be shifted horizontally when the resilient frame is vertically depressed, the bust receiving pocket being free from supporting means at its bottom and supported entirely by the upper portion of said resilient frame at an elevation at least substantially as high as the top of said front portion.

4. A garment comprising a body encircling portion in cluding a band portion and a forward portion extending above the band portion, the forward portion including loop receiving pockets'having bottom walls, bust receiving pockets secured to the top portion of said forward portion and projecting above such forward portion, a resilient loop including upstanding sides and a top and bottom mounted wthin each loop receiving pocket, the loop top being secured to the upper portion of the bust receiving pocket for supporting the same, the frame sides being disposed adjacent to the sides of the bust receiving pocket and the loop bottom bearing against the frame receiving pocket bottom wall, the lower portion of the loop being slidably mounted within the frame receiving pocket to be shiftable therein. the bust receiving pocket being free from supporting means at its bottom and supported entirely by the upper portion of said resilient loop at an elevation at least as substantially as high as the top of said portion.

5. A garment comprising a body encircling portion including a band portion and a forward portion extending above the band portion, the forward portion including frame receiving pockets having bottom walls, bust receiving pockets secured to the top portion of said forward portion, a resilient frame mounted within each frame receiving pocket and formed of wire bent into a zig-zag formation and including upstanding sides and a bottom, the frame sides being disposed adjacent to the sides of each bust receiving pocket, means connecting the upper ends of the resilient frame sides with the top of said front portion to support the same, the frame bottom bearing against the frame receiving pocket bottom wall, the lower portion of said resilient frame being slidably mounted within the frame receiving pocket so that such lower portion is shiftable therein, the bust receiving pocket being free from supporting means at its bottom and supported entirely by the upper portion of said resilient frame at an elevation at least substantially as high as the top of said front portion.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,600,645 Harrington June 17, 1952 2,678,445 Tagliero May 18, 1954 FOREIGN PATENTS 51,033 France Mar. 4, 1941 1,016,730 France Sept. 3, 1952 1,026,493 France Feb. 4, 1953 1,043,638 France June 17, 1953 1,047,512 France July 22, 1953 

